Bhagalpur: The famous Chek Masjid of Bhagalpur which was destroyed in the 1889 communal riot, continues to be neglected. Now the effort to illegally occupy its land by some mischievous person has come to light. Immediate action by the police and cooperation by peace loving and responsible persons prevented the situation from taking an ugly turn but no arrest has been made.

According Mohammad Riazuddin, residents of Husainpura used to offer prayers in this mosque. They are still trying to rebuild it so that prayers could be offered here. But mischievous elements are trying to illegally occupy it vast land. According to him, the Bihar Sunni Waqf board and the mosque’s caretaker are responsible for the continued negligence of the mosque.

Another person, Abdur Rahman, president of Bhagalpur’s tailors federation, said that the state of neglect is such that children urinate and ease themselves on the pulpit of this mosque. Sometimes dead animals are thrown in its compound. A septic tank has also been built adjacent to the mosque’s compound. q